What's the best database for beginners?
Quick Answer
Supabase is the current favourite for beginners-it's free to start, has a visual interface, and handles authentication too. Firebase is another solid option.
Full Explanation
For vibe coders and non-technical founders, Supabase has emerged as the go-to database choice. Here's why:
Supabase advantages:
- Visual interface for creating tables and viewing data (no SQL required to start)
- Built-in user authentication (one less thing to figure out)
- Real-time subscriptions work out of the box
- Generous free tier that handles most MVPs
- Direct integration with Lovable, Bolt, and other AI tools
- It's PostgreSQL underneath, so it's a real database that scales
Firebase (Google) is the main alternative:
- Better for mobile apps and real-time features
- More complex pricing model (can get expensive unexpectedly)
- Different data model (document-based vs relational) that some find confusing
For most web applications, especially those built with AI tools, Supabase is the safer choice. The AI tools know Supabase well, which means fewer errors and smoother generation.
Avoid building your own database setup from scratch as a beginner. The authentication and security configurations alone are complex enough to derail your project. Use a managed service and focus on your actual product.
Related Questions
What's Supabase and why is it popular?
Supabase is an open-source backend platform that gives you a database, authentication, and APIs in one place. It's popular because it's powerful, beginner-friendly, and free to start.
Do I need to understand databases?
A basic understanding helps enormously. You should grasp concepts like tables, relationships, and queries-even if AI handles the implementation details.
How do I add user authentication?
Use a service like Supabase Auth, Clerk, or Auth0. Never build authentication from scratch. AI tools integrate these services well and they handle security complexities you don't want to manage.
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